Former investment banker Grace Olugbodi, has designed a game to get kids into maths.

The game, Race To Infinity, covers the fundamentals of Key Stages 1 and 2 as well as being an entertaining game for kids.

Grace, 38, from Purfleet, intends to develop further maths games under her BeGenio brand as well as a book and online course for parents.

She says: "Many children hate Maths, don't see the point in doing it, or find it a boring chore. They don't believe they can get good at it and do not have effective, creative, fun methods of doing maths. Sadly, many children experience low self-esteem and low self-confidence as a result, which can affect their life and future.

"Many parents are afraid of maths themselves and don't know how to help their children. The world is a lot more competitive and demanding now, and this generation are finding it harder to do well or get good jobs without maths."

Grace believes that is the way children are taught maths was different children would engage better with it.

She says: "More often than not, it is taught as an abstract set of rules and many children cannot see what they would need it for or how it applies to real life and can make a positive difference to their lives long term.

"My opinion is that when kids are taught in solitude all the time, without encouraging interaction between them or learning off each other repeatedly, it does not motivate them. So it is important that we parents and school teachers start working together more to encourage interaction among pupils while they are being taught in class."

She thinks if parents and teachers intervene early if children are falling behind in maths then they will see a big improvement.

"Around the age of 7 or 8 is when they start to feel that they are at not good at maths and that they are not ”maths people”. However it’s important not to lose hope even at this stage or a later stage, no matter what age they are; as there are many ways to get children back on track if they are falling behind at this stage. Admittedly, it’s easier and better to avoid the problem, or start tackling the problem quickly; but it is also fixable if it happens so that they can catch up.

"In my view, if kids continue to fall behind, it can lead to them giving up too early, lacking self belief, losing direction and feeling lost and alone, believing that they will never get the feeling of achievement they would like to get."

Grace achieved a first in BSc computing before going on to work in investment banks for eight years as a programmer.

She is currently a National Numeracy Challenge Champion, a speaker for Inspiring the Future, Inspiring Woman and Primary Futures, part of the Education BP for London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Trustee and Director for a London University's SU Board.

To find out more visit www.easymathskills.com.